Healing Haunted Histories: A Settler Discipleship of Decolonization

Center and Library for the Bible and Social Justice Series

by Elaine Enns, Ched Myers

Healing Haunted Histories tackles the oldest and deepest injustices on the North American continent. Violations which inhabit every intersection of settler and Indigenous worlds, past and present. Wounds inextricably woven into the fabric of our personal and political lives. And it argues we can heal those wounds through the inward and outward journey of decolonization.
The authors write as, and for, settlers on this journey, exploring the places, peoples, and spirits that have formed (and deformed) us. They look at issues of Indigenous justice and settler “response-ability” through the lens of Elaine’s Mennonite family narrative, tracing Landlines, Bloodlines, and Songlines like a braided river. From Ukrainian steppes to Canadian prairies to California chaparral, they examine her forebearers’ immigrant travails and trauma, settler unknowing and complicity, and traditions of resilience and conscience. And they invite readers to do the same.
Part memoir, part social, historical, and theological analysis, and part practical workbook, this process invites settler Christians (and other people of faith) into a discipleship of decolonization. How are our histories, landscapes, and communities haunted by continuing Indigenous dispossession? How do we transform our colonizing self-perceptions, lifeways, and structures? And how might we practice restorative solidarity with Indigenous communities today?

Genres: History, Theology, Indigenous, Social Justice, Native American

426 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 2021

Reviews

[Rose Berger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Healing Haunted Histories is a powerful testimony, a prophetic witness, and a humble gesture toward 'saving the soul of America' through deep engagement with our own family stories. The 'bloodlines, landlines, and songlines' motif echoes the ancient Hebrew folk wisdom 'a cord of three strands is not quickly broken' (Eccl. 4:12). The interbraiding of all three strands is what will make these transformational conversions hold strong. As people of faith, we trust that it is possible to heal the past. The authors’ healing work here is skilled and true. Each one of us must learn and practice telling our own stories in a restorative justice mode. That is how we enter the joyful ceremony of mature humanity. If you were to map all the place names mentioned here in North America, it almost creates a circle: Saskatchewan, British Columbia, Pacific Coast, Laguna Pueblo, New Orleans, across the South, up to D.C., New York, Toronto, and back to Saskatchewan. A great Turtle Island round dance for the healing of the nations.

Every European-descended white settler in America has an opportunity to learn our stories of first contact with Native peoples in a new way and to begin repairing that first harm, that original sin as a way of healing our own hidden wounds. Healing Haunted Histories is the practical process, deep biblical exploration, and historical resetting of story that is critical for today and our work going forward. --Rose Marie Berger, author of Bending the Arch:Poems

[Merilie Robertson]

For those of us struggling with our own personal and our national history of colonization in North America, Healing Hunted Histories is a guide to help us begin the process of healing. With many examples from their own experiences and those of others Elaine Enns and Ched Meyers help us to understand how colonization took place and the damage it has done to the indigenous people of the land and the land itself. No easy solutions are offered, but many practical suggestions for moving forward are given.

[Patrick Reyes · Rating 5 out of 5]

This might be one of the most healing books I have read in some time. It is both great scholarship weaved with personal narrative that provides guidance for those seeking to do justice while wrestling with complex, colonial histories.

[Rianna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really appreciated how real this book is. Elaine does the hard and complex work of honoring her history along with serious critique and questions implying radical transformation of systemic and personal behavior. I find that I am filled with both sorrow and hope.

[marcus miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enns presents an extrememly helpful way to incorporate one's family history, faith and faith stories, and sense of place while trying to make sense of the displacement and genocide of Native Americans, the atrocities of slavery, and other traumas in our historical experience. This book is aimed at those of us from a "settler" background though I'm guessing others may find it useful.
Much of this book is encouraging us to become familiar with our own history. I've helped a couple of groups work through questions surrounding the Doctrine of Discovery and quickly realized most people know little of their family history, let alone where their families originated or how or when they arrived in the Americas.
The use of "landlines" asks us to learn where our ancestors were from, where our ancestors moved to, how we ended up where are, along with who was living here prior to the arrival of settlers.
"Bloodlines" asks us to learn the story of our broader group of ancestors, something helpful for those who don't have researched genealogies, but do have some awareness of what immigrant groups they belonged. Here Enns explores the trauma her family faced as they eventually fled the Ukraine in the 1920's. We are asked to consider the stories passed down, to consider what is often left out, and the traumas which may have been experienced. For some this may require gaining knowlege of a more general history and figuring out how my ancestors may have been shaped by war, famine, persecution, or economic changes, even though the stories disappeared and there are no letters or journals to be found.
"Songlines" asks us to consider stories of resiliance and persistance, and our "genealogies of faith."
Enns incorporates scripture in useful and intriguing ways, for example, telling a story from Mark from the perspective of "indigeneous Jesus."
This is one of those books I'll keep nearby and in mind as I listen to my families stories, especially as I continue to work around issues of the Doctrine of Discovery, and ponder the questions of "now what do we do?

[Paris Dunning · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. Challenging, invigorating, and illuminating a formidable topic with exactly what I needed: momentum to finish reading and do something about it.

[Beth Oehler]

A very theological viewpoint. Tackles important topics. Found a couple ideas that I am still thinking over but didn’t find strong connection with authors.

[Darnell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ched and Elaine are vulnerable, honest and clear about the paths they’ve discovered to participate in the steady, patient and humbling work of decolonization.

If you are nervous about where to start a journey of honest decolonization this book is an accessible resource that will move your mind, body and spirit.

[Jeannette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book by Enns and Meyers weaving personal testimony, historical unpacking, and theological musing. The format of the material (tracing landlines, song lines, and bloodlines) provides a vital framework for those seeking to do the work exemplified by Elaine’s story in the book, especially within settler communities. I encourage anyone in the midst of their own journey of deconstructing their family’s history and their own place within current homeland to read this book and to commit the action items that arise from the study.

[Alison · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful, meaningful, challenging book. Highly recommended.

[Katharine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Healing Haunted Histories by Elaine Enns & Ched Myers. I became acquainted with Elaine Enns and Ched Myers’ work when I started taking Liberation Theology classes in Philly over a decade ago. I appreciate their approach to biblical studies and community building.

Reading this book is part of an interest/concern I have been exploring for some time now. Years ago, I had been encouraged to learn more about The Doctrine of Discovery and the experiences Native Americans from a pastor. That exploration led me to become curious about my family’s history as white settlers. Healing Haunted Histories provides a method for studying both interwoven topics through the framework of ‚” Landlines, Bloodlines, and Songlines”. An approach that helps the family researcher to not only discover who they came from, but to understand their ancestors' context and how the relation to other peoples their ancestors interacted with or impacted. I have found this approach to be a very helpful framework as I start to uncover and study my own family history.

What I found particularly helpful and interesting is that Enns & Myers demonstrate the process by telling their personal family histories through this framework. In learning about their family history, I not only see how the process of conducting my family history can be accomplished but experience a deeper sense of connection to the authors’ families’ experiences. I learned quite a bit about Ukrainian & Russian history & geography - which in turn has helped me better understand the war in present day Ukraine and the related global food crisis. The personal stories, artwork, photos, and maps were extremely useful and engaging. I really liked how the writing interwove stories from different generations, their research process, and their life in California today.

I found this book to be so useful and engaging that I have started my own family history project emulating Enns & Myers approaching and using the “Landlines, Bloodlines, & Songlines” framework. I recommend this book to anyone who wants to start a similar project or any person who is just interested in learning about how different groups of migrating and displaced people interact with each other. I think it is accessible to people of different faiths and different political beliefs. I know that it has led to deeper and more reflective conversations about family history with family members of different political stances. So, I feel especially grateful for this book as a tool in starting those conversations.

[Paul Bosshardt · Rating 5 out of 5]

The intersection of settler and Indigenous worlds is explored. Wounds are woven into the fabric of our personal and political lives. Healing can only occur through the inward and outward journey of decolonization. Foundation is with the Doctrine of Discovery. "How might we practice restorative justice and solidarity with Indigenous communitues today?

[Amy Titcomb · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lot of great ideas. It is a slow read. Often wanders into specific history of the author - to provide an example of how to do the research. I found this history a little interesting but unnecessary and makes the book a lot longer

[Karly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good, honest writing. Good introductory literature for white/settler readers to take on as they attempt to engage with decoloniality discourse.

[Treble Moros]

Superbly written and researched! Top Quality! (Everything that Elaine Enns and Ched Myers do is top quality!). Also very challenging...I'm still wrestling with it.

[Nurya Parish · Rating 5 out of 5]

Among the most important books for Christians in the twenty first century, this is necessary reading for anyone seeking social and personal healing and justice.

[Diana Peters · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars

First half quite good, other than being out of touch with Mennonite tradition. Second half was a complete disappointment. High hopes dashed.

[Liann Jensen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Astounding work. Hauntingly beautiful. How different things could be if we all committed to work like this.

[Clivemichael · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent rendering of difficult concepts in an encouraging and inspiring process.